Workers begin installing zinc panels that will give the new Milwaukee Bucks arena its distinctive look

Zinc panels on the Bucks' new arena will provide the signature color and feel to the massive$524 million facility that is to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season.(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Buy Photo

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Workers install zinc panels on the northwest side of the Milwaukee Bucks' new arena. The panels will provide the signature color and feel to the massive$524 million facility that is to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season. Those panelsstirred some of the most passionate debateover the design of the arena, with some detractors saying they would give the arena a "Rust Belt" feel. Project designers, however, said the zinc panels can take on the look of wood or leather and will change appearance in varying degrees of light. Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Workers install zinc panels on the northwest side of the Milwaukee Bucks' new arena. The panels will provide the signature color and feel to the massive$524 million facility that is to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season. Those panelsstirred some of the most passionate debateover the design of the arena, with some detractors saying they would give the arena a "Rust Belt" feel. Project designers, however, said the zinc panels can take on the look of wood or leather and will change appearance in varying degrees of light. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Zinc panels on the Bucks' new arena will provide the signature color and feel to the massive$524 million facility that is to open in time for the 2018-'19 NBA season. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The zinc panelsstirred some of the most passionate debateover the design of the arena, with some detractors saying they would give the arena a "Rust Belt" feel. Project designers, however, said the zinc panels can take on the look of wood or leather and will change appearance in varying degrees of light. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Arena project designers say the panels take on the look of wood or leather and will change in varying degrees of light. They are not expected to change color over time, as with exterior finishes such as copper.

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Workers use a lift to install zinc panels on the northwest side of the Milwaukee Bucks' new arena.(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Work on the arena progresses in a west to east fashion, with the goal of having the building sealed up from the elements by November. The "topping off" ceremony last week marked the winding down of the structural steel installation.

The $524 million arena is being built with $250 million in public money. The arena is expected to open in time for the start of the 2018-'19 NBA season. In addition to the Bucks, the arena will serve as the home court for the Marquette University Golden Eagles men's basketball team.